FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 12, 2011
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Brad Blake Back Bigger and Better than ever Before



by Scott Beattie
When the Pro Dirt Late Model Series roars back into life on the 15th of October at Ellenbrook Speedway, one man who will be ready to fire as soon as the first green flag drops is the O Show, Brad Blake.

The current Australian Champion, Blake is pumped to get back into the seat of his familiar blue and white Blake Auto Centre #0 machine and put the pedal to the metal to take on the best that WA, and the world, has to offer.

“This will be the toughest year ever. With the American cars and teams coming over for the WA vs. USA tour, it will make us all step up. The American racers also give me that extra enthusiasm to race harder and win. Last year I hadn’t won a race until Jeep (Van Wormer) got here and then I stepped it up. All the locals benefit from the experience though.”

Indeed, Blake did have a quiet season by his own lofty standards, yet he was still able to win the tenth running of the Australian Late Model Championship at Mildura (where he led flag to flag to take his fourth crown), as well as secure second place overall in the local WA Pro Dirt Series, finishing just shy of Craig Vosbergen.

“The local competition is very tough. Craig has hit his straps over the last few years especially after his visits to America and he keeps the car straight, just the way it needs to be. Also those two lunatics from Ultratune, Warren Oldfield (Brad’s brother in law) who is a master at setting cars up, as well as Jamie Oldfield who is a freak of nature and could quite easily be considered as one of the top three drivers in Australia, are both very competitive. Brad Ludlow is also very good at the Motorplex.”

Along with competing in the entire Pro Dirt Series, Blake will also be looking at heading over east to defend his national crown at Sydney Speedway, a race which he surely has to be starting as a favourite in. He has a good record at the nationals, having been on the podium a total of seven times out of the ten year history of the event. He also has experience at Sydney Speedway, having last season won the Gold Cup event there.

“Yeah, I have won at Sydney Speedway before, including last year’s Gold Cup. It is a tough track to race on any given night, especially when it has rained when it becomes hooky and hard to drive on, but I love it.”

One question that the O Show gets asked more than any other is why he never actually runs as number one when he wins the title. When asked the question his answer is simple:

“I’ve spent 25 years marketing myself as the O Show and if I wore Number 1 it just wouldn’t be me! However I am sick of people telling me to put the number 1 on my car so this year I have finally caved. It’s now on my back panel and it’s huge so hopefully everyone will now move on!”

Many would say that Blake has done all that can be done in the division and question why he would come back year after year. However, there is just one reason that sees him return:

“Quite simply, I love it. Late Models are the best bang for buck speedway in Australia, they buck up, their wild and I just love them. They are also good value with a top level car not setting you back anywhere near as much as other division’s top cars can do.”

Brad would know about the costs involved, having driven in almost every category speedway has to offer, including Street Stocks, Modified Sedans, Super Sedans, Speedcars and Sprintcars, as well as his beloved Late Models. His family has been behind him through the entire journey, something he is eternally grateful for:

“My Dad is the heart and soul of this race team. I’m also supported by Buster and my brother Sean, not to mention my wife Jodie. She and I tackle everything together as a team and without her I quite simply am screwed.”

So Blake is pumped about the season coming up, aiming to be competitive in every race he enters, if not challenging for wins. With an attitude like that on such a fearsome competitor, the O Show is certainly going to be hard to beat this season!